Senate May Consider AGC-Supported Measure to Limit Liability of Contractors Working at Ground Zero

During the lame duck session, the Senate may take action on the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.  This bill would provide health benefits for 9/11 workers and also includes language that would limit the liability of the contractors that worked at the site of the terrorist attack in New York City.  These contractors responded in the immediate aftermath of the collapse of the Twin Towers and continued working for over a month without contracts while at the direction of federal, state and city officials.  These contractors continue to face an enormous amount of liability from lawsuits from those who developed health problems in the aftermath of the attacks.  The House passed the legislation at the end of September 2010.  Concerns in the Senate are mostly about the cost of the special health care program established by the bill.  For more information, contact Kelly Knott at (202) 547-4685 or knottk@agc.org.